Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-03-18
EX-SENATOR EDMuNDs's Views.
THE ADMINISTRATIONS AND POLITICS.

7 The Washington Star has been inter-
viewing Senator Edmunds. Speaking
of the Democratic administration, he said:
sin all frankness | must say don't think
it has been a success, whatever the de-
sires and intentions of those at the head
of affairs may have been. 1t was impos-
sible for them to follow out a successful
policy with the weight of party so COM
posed upon their shoulders. With such
a broad field of administration, the Presi-
dent must have others to rely on for as
sistance. But placing reliance in his
party must inevitably lead him astray.
With the tremendous pressure of the
party behind him, he has been forced
into numerous errors. All Presidents,
perhaps, may have made some bad ap-
pointments, but none. think, have been
betrayed as often as he has. His party
is composed of men who believe that the
interests of the country demand that they
should have control of the offices. | do
not question their honesty in this opinion
who think that the end justified the means.
! The party workers-the men who have
worked in the wards and bull-dozed and
stripped ballot-boXes and claim the re-
wards-are not suitable to perform pub
lie trust. A large percentage of Mr..
Cleveland's appointees have been either
incompetent or improper persons, or, be-
ing competent, have been rascals. Some
of these men he has selected without
knowing anything about them: others
he has appointed upon the Endorsement
of members of Congress of his own party,
who have not hesitated to betray his con-
fidence. With some work a table of APP
pointments could be made which would
show an immense proportion of rascals.
| do not say that it would amount to a
majority, but, certainly, none of Mr..
Cleveland's predecessors were as often
betrayed. He has been pulled both ways,
the senator continued. "between his civil
service reform pledges and the party
pressure. Sometimes he has appeared to
hold to one, and sometimes to yield to the
other. lie seems to stand half way be-
tween the two. One day he has declared
that good official, who was a Republican,
should not be disturbed: at another time
he has yielded to tremendous party pres
sure in something else. But there are
Republicans still in office, and think We
should give him credit for what he has
done. as in the case of the preacher who
was good four days in the week, and
went off on lark for two days. We
should give him credit for the good there
"Do you think the Democrats will re-
nominate him." asked the reporter. "l es
there is no one else they could run will
any chance of success. They cannot
nominate any one else and hope to sue
ceed." "Would he hold the Republican
votes he got bcfore:' "As between two
evils, they would vote for him, though
he has not lived up entirely to what they
understood to be his promises. They
may not see how he could have done bet
ter with his party and they may not sec
where they will find another who woulc
do as we'll" "What do you think of the
chances of the Republican party in lSSS:'
asked the reporter. ''Believing that the
Republican party represents the bes
principles of government, and having
confidence in the intelligence of the peOpl,
and the ability to discriminate, | eXpec
the Republicans to be restored to power.
"Ihat depends on the nominee, does i
not?' suggested the reporter. "Ies
but having confidence in the wisdom o
my party, think they are sure to nomi
nate good man." ''Who are the promi
nent men now to the front?' "Ah, ex
cuse me, but do not care to speak o
that. Many things may happen within
two years.